A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

nervous, and the first time they were abed together he spent his seed on her thigh as she was guiding him inside her with her hand. Worse, he had been consumed by shame. If she only had a dragon for every time he had whispered, “We should not be doing this,” she would be richer than the Lannisters.
Did he charge at Areo Hotah in hopes of saving me?
Arianne wondered.
Or did he do it to escape me, to wash out his dishonor with his life’s blood?
“He did love me,” she heard herself say. “He died for me.”
    â€œIf so, he may well be but the first of many. You and your cousins wanted war. You may get your wish. Another Kingsguard knight creeps toward Sunspear even as we speak. Ser Balon Swann is bringing me the Mountain’s head. My bannermen have been delaying him, to purchase me some time. The Wyls kept him hunting and hawking for eight days on the Boneway, and Lord Yronwood feasted him for a fortnight when he emerged from the mountains. At present he is at the Tor, where Lady Jordayne has arranged games in his honor. When he reaches Ghost Hill he will find Lady Toland intent on outdoing her. Soon or late, however, Ser Balon must arrive at Sunspear, and when he does he will expect to see Princess Myrcella . . . and Ser Arys, his Sworn Brother. What shall we tell him, Arianne? Shall I say that Oakheart perished in a hunting accident, or from a tumble down some slippery steps? Perhaps Arys went swimming at the Water Gardens, slipped upon the marble, hit his head, and drowned?”
    â€œNo,” Arianne said. “Say that he died defending his little princess. Tell Ser Balon that Darkstar tried to kill her and Ser Arys stepped between them and saved her life.” That was how the white knights of the Kingsguard were supposed to die, giving up their own lives for those that they had sworn to protect. “Ser Balon may be suspicious, as you were when the Lannisters killed your sister and her children, but he will have no proof . . .”
    â€œ. . . until he speaks with Myrcella. Or must that brave child suffer a tragic accident as well? If so, it will mean war. No lie will save Dorne from the queen’s wroth if her daughter should perish whilst in my care.”
    He needs me,
Arianne realized.
That’s why he sent for me.
    â€œI could tell Myrcella what to say, but why should I?”
    A spasm of anger rippled across her father’s face. “I warn you, Arianne, I am out of patience.”
    â€œWith me?”
That is so like him.
“For Lord Tywin and the Lannisters you always had the forbearance of Baelor the Blessed, but for your own blood, none.”
    â€œYou mistake patience for forbearance. I have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister since the day they told me of Elia and her children. It was my hope to strip him of all that he held most dear before I killed him, but it would seem his dwarf son has robbed me of that pleasure. I take some small solace in knowing that he died a cruel death at the hands of the monster that he himself begot. Be that as it may. Lord Tywin is howling down in hell . . . where thousands more will soon be joining him, if your folly turns to war.” Her father grimaced, as if the very word were painful to him. “Is that what you want?”
    The princess refused to be cowed. “I want my cousins freed. I want my uncle avenged. I want my rights.”
    â€œYour
rights
?”
    â€œDorne.”
    â€œYou will have Dorne after I am dead. Are you so anxious to be rid of me?”
    â€œI should turn that question back on you, Father. You have been trying to rid yourself of me for years.”
    â€œThat is not true.”
    â€œNo? Shall we ask my brother?”
    â€œTrystane?”
    â€œQuentyn.”
    â€œWhat of him?”
    â€œWhere is he?”
    â€œHe is with Lord Yronwood’s host in the Boneway.”
    â€œYou do lie well, Father, I will grant you that. You did not so much as blink. Quentyn has gone to Lys.”
    â€œWhere did you get that notion?”
    â€œA friend told me.” She could have secrets too.
    â€œYour friend lied. You have my word, your brother has not gone to Lys. I swear it by sun and spear and Seven.”
    Arianne could not be fooled so easily. “Is it Myr, then? Tyrosh? I know he is somewhere across the narrow sea, hiring sellswords to steal away my birthright.”
    Her father’s face darkened. “This mistrust does you no honor, Arianne.